Camera system having serially connected camera devices to facilitate a cascade of imaging effects

ABSTRACT

This invention provides for a camera system having a plurality of hand held camera devices connected together in series. Each camera device includes an image input configured to receive image data from a camera device preceding in the series of devices, and an instruction reader configured to read instructions from a card inserted into the camera device, said card having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of the image data. Each camera device also includes a processor unit arranged in communication with the input and the instruction reader, the processor unit configured to perform image manipulation on the image data according to the instructions read from the card. Also included is an image output configured to transmit manipulated image data from the processor to a camera device following in the series of devices, the camera system operatively facilitating a cascade of imaging effects.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/666,124 filed Sep. 22, 2003, which itself is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/112,757filed Jul. 10, 1998, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,848, all of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

The following Australian provisional patent applications are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location andidentification, US patent applications identified by their US patentapplication serial numbers (USSN) are listed alongside the Australianapplications from which the US patent applications claim the right ofpriority.

CROSS- US PATENT/PATENT REFERENCED APPLICATION (CLAIMING AUSTRALIANRIGHT OF PRIORITY PROVISIONAL FROM AUSTRALIAN PATENT PROVISIONALAPPLICATION NO. APPLICATION) DOCKET NO. PO7991 6750901 ART01US PO85056476863 ART02US PO7988 6788336 ART03US PO9395 6322181 ART04US PO80176597817 ART06US PO8014 6227648 ART07US PO8025 6727948 ART08US PO80326690419 ART09US PO7999 6727951 ART10US PO8030 6196541 ART13US PO79976195150 ART15US PO7979 6362868 ART16US PO7978 6831681 ART18US PO79826431669 ART19US PO7989 6362869 ART20US PO8019 6472052 ART21US PO79806356715 ART22US PO8018 6894694 ART24US PO7938 6636216 ART25US PO80166366693 ART26US PO8024 6329990 ART27US PO7939 6459495 ART29US PO85016137500 ART30US PO8500 6690416 ART31US PO7987 7050143 ART32US PO80226398328 ART33US PO8497 7110024 ART34US PO8020 6431704 ART38US PO85046879341 ART42US PO8000 6415054 ART43US PO7934 6665454 ART45US PO79906542645 ART46US PO8499 6486886 ART47US PO8502 6381361 ART48US PO79816317192 ART50US PO7986 6850274 ART51US PO7983 09/113054 ART52US PO80266646757 ART53US PO8028 6624848 ART56US PO9394 6357135 ART57US PO93976271931 ART59US PO9398 6353772 ART60US PO9399 6106147 ART61US PO94006665008 ART62US PO9401 6304291 ART63US PO9403 6305770 ART65US PO94056289262 ART66US PP0959 6315200 ART68US PP1397 6217165 ART69US PP23706786420 DOT01US PO8003 6350023 Fluid01US PO8005 6318849 Fluid02US PO80666227652 IJ01US PO8072 6213588 IJ02US PO8040 6213589 IJ03US PO80716231163 IJ04US PO8047 6247795 IJ05US PO8035 6394581 IJ06US PO80446244691 IJ07US PO8063 6257704 IJ08US PO8057 6416168 IJ09US PO80566220694 IJ10US PO8069 6257705 IJ11US PO8049 6247794 IJ12US PO80366234610 IJ13US PO8048 6247793 IJ14US PO8070 6264306 IJ15US PO80676241342 IJ16US PO8001 6247792 IJ17US PO8038 6264307 IJ18US PO80336254220 IJ19US PO8002 6234611 IJ20US PO8068 6302528 IJ21US PO80626283582 IJ22US PO8034 6239821 IJ23US PO8039 6338547 IJ24US PO80416247796 IJ25US PO8004 6557977 IJ26US PO8037 6390603 IJ27US PO80436362843 IJ28US PO8042 6293653 IJ29US PO8064 6312107 IJ30US PO93896227653 IJ31US PO9391 6234609 IJ32US PP0888 6238040 IJ33US PP08916188415 IJ34US PP0890 6227654 IJ35US PP0873 6209989 IJ36US PP09936247791 IJ37US PP0890 6336710 IJ38US PP1398 6217153 IJ39US PP25926416167 IJ40US PP2593 6243113 IJ41US PP3991 6283581 IJ42US PP39876247790 IJ43US PP3985 6260953 IJ44US PP3983 6267469 IJ45US PO79356224780 IJM01US PO7936 6235212 IJM02US PO7937 6280643 IJM03US PO80616284147 IJM04US PO8054 6214244 IJM05US PO8065 6071750 IJM06US PO80556267905 IJM07US PO8053 6251298 IJM08US PO8078 6258285 IJM09US PO79336225138 IJM10US PO7950 6241904 IJM11US PO7949 6299786 IJM12US PO80606866789 IJM13US PO8059 6231773 IJM14US PO8073 6190931 IJM15US PO80766248249 IJM16US PO8075 6290862 IJM17US PO8079 6241906 IJM18US PO80506565762 IJM19US PO8052 6241905 IJM20US PO7948 6451216 IJM21US PO79516231772 IJM22US PO8074 6274056 IJM23US PO7941 6290861 IJM24US PO80776248248 IJM25US PO8058 6306671 IJM26US PO8051 6331258 IJM27US PO80456110754 IJM28US PO7952 6294101 IJM29US PO8046 6416679 IJM30US PO93906264849 IJM31US PO9392 6254793 IJM32US PP0889 6235211 IJM35US PP08876491833 IJM36US PP0882 6264850 IJM37US PP0874 6258284 IJM38US PP13966312615 IJM39US PP3989 6228668 IJM40US PP2591 6180427 IJM41US PP39906171875 IJM42US PP3986 6267904 IJM43US PP3984 6245247 IJM44US PP39826315914 IJM45US PP0895 6231148 IR01US PP0869 6293658 IR04US PP08876614560 IR05US PP0885 6238033 IR06US PP0884 6312070 IR10US PP08866238111 IR12US PP0877 6378970 IR16US PP0878 6196739 IR17US PP08836270182 IR19US PP0880 6152619 IR20US PO8006 6087638 MEMS02US PO80076340222 MEMS03US PO8010 6041600 MEMS05US PO8011 6299300 MEMS06US PO79476067797 MEMS07US PO7944 6286935 MEMS09US PO7946 6044646 MEMS10US PP08946382769 MEMS13US

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a data processing method and apparatusand, in particular, discloses a Multi Artcam System.

The present invention further relates to the field of image processingand to user interface mechanisms for performing image processing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, in Australia Provisional Patent Specification entitled “ImageProcessing Method and Apparatus (Art01)” filed concurrently by thepresent applicant, a system has been proposed known colloquially as“Artcam” which is a digital camera having an integral printer forprinting out sensed images in addition to manipulations of the sensedimage which are manipulated as a result of the insertion of a “Artcard”having manipulation instructions thereon into the camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a multi effectsystem to provide enhanced image effects.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention as provideda method of creating a manipulated image comprising interconnecting aseries of camera manipulation units, each of said camera manipulationunit applying an image manipulation to an inputted image so as toproduce a manipulated output image, an initial one of said cameramanipulation units sensing an image from an environment and at least afinal one of said camera manipulation units producing a permanent outputimage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the form of interconnection of the preferredembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitableprogramming of a hand held camera device such as that described inAustralian Provisional Patent Application entitled “Image ProcessingMethod and Apparatus (ART01)” filed concurrently herewith by the presentapplicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated bycross reference.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system,hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images canbe directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, theaforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performingvarious manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing deviceleading to the production of various effects in any output image. Themanipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can beimplemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards havingencoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, thecards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further hassignificant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit(ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage ofimportant data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, multiple Artcams as described in theaforementioned patent specification are interconnected via their USBports so as to provide a cascading of imaging effects. Through suitableprogramming of the internal computer portions of each Artcam, acascading of imaging effects can be achieved.

The preferred arrangement is as illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a seriesof Artcams, e.g. 2, 3, 4, are interconnected 5 via their USB ports. EachArtcam 2, 3, 4 is provided with a corresponding Artcard 7, 8, 9 having asuitable image manipulation program stored thereon. Further, theinstructions for utilisation in a network environment can be provided onthe Artcard 7, 8, 9. The image 10 sensed by the Artcam 2 is thenmanipulated by the manipulation program on Artcard 7 with the resultbeing forwarded 5 to Artcam device 3 which applies the imagemanipulation function provided on Artcard 8 producing a correspondingoutput which is forwarded to the next Artcam in the series. The chainedArtcam has been modified so as to have two USB ports for this purpose.The final Artcam 4 applies its Artcard manipulation stored on Artcard 9for producing output 12 which is a conglomeration of each of theprevious image manipulations.

The arrangement 1 on FIG. 1 thereby provides the opportunity to applymultiple effects to a single sensed image. Of course, a number offurther refinements are possible. For example, each Artcam could printout its own manipulated image in addition to forwarding the image to thenext Artcam in the series. Additionally, splitting of paths where oneArtcam outputs to two different downstream Artcams which result indifferent final images being output could also be provided.Additionally, loops, etc., could be utilised.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention asshown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is,therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalink jet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size andcost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonabledrive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle.Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuiton a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at thecurrent limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200nozzles.

Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirementsof in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed,low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a widerange of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies formpart of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as setout in the table below.

The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print headis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS postprocessing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallestprint head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip areaof 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus dataand control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Ink Jets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jettypes have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 toIJ45 above.

Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from these 45examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more ofthe 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into ink jetprint heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where itshares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Homeprinters, Office network printers, Short run digital printers,Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWWprinters, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers,Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems,Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal An electrothermal Large forceHigh power Canon bubble heater heats the generated Ink carrier Bubblejet1979 ink to above Simple limited to water Endo et al GB boiling point,construction Low patent 2,007,162 transferring No moving efficiencyXerox significant heat to parts High heater-in-pit the aqueous ink. AFast temperatures 1990 Hawkins et bubble nucleates operation required alU.S. Pat. No. and quickly forms, Small chip High 4,899,181 expelling theink. area required for mechanical Hewlett- The efficiency of actuatorstress Packard TIJ the process is low, Unusual 1982 Vaught et withtypically less materials al U.S. Pat. No. than 0.05% of the required4,490,728 electrical energy Large drive being transformed transistorsinto kinetic energy Cavitation of the drop. causes actuator failureKogation reduces bubble formation Large print heads are difficult tofabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric Low power Very large Kyser et alcrystal such as consumption area required for U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398lead lanthanum Many ink actuator Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. zirconate (PZT) istypes can be Difficult to 3,683,212 electrically used integrate with1973 activated, and Fast electronics Stemme U.S. Pat. No. eitherexpands, operation High 3,747,120 shears, or bends to High voltage driveEpson apply pressure to efficiency transistors Stylus the ink, ejectingrequired Tektronix drops. Full IJ04 pagewidth print heads impracticaldue to actuator size Requires electrical poling in high field strengthsduring manufacture Electro- An electric field is Low power Low Seikostrictive used to activate consumption maximum strain Epson, Usui etelectrostriction in Many ink (approx. 0.01%) all JP 253401/96 relaxormaterials types can be Large area IJ04 such as lead used required forlanthanum Low actuator due to zirconate titanate thermal low strain(PLZT) or lead expansion Response magnesium Electric speed is niobate(PMN). field strength marginal (~10 μs) required High (approx. 3.5 V/μm)voltage drive can be transistors generated required without Fulldifficulty pagewidth print Does not heads require electrical impracticaldue poling to actuator size Ferroelectric An electric field is Low powerDifficult to IJ04 used to induce a consumption integrate with phasetransition Many ink electronics between the types can be Unusualantiferroelectric used materials such as (AFE) and Fast PLZSnT areferroelectric (FE) operation (<1 μs) required phase. PerovskiteRelatively Actuators materials such as high longitudinal require a largetin modified lead strain area lanthanum High zirconate titanateefficiency (PLZSnT) exhibit Electric large strains of up field strengthof to 1% associated around 3 V/μm with the AFE to can be readily FEphase provided transition. Electrostatic Conductive plates Low powerDifficult to IJ02, IJ04 plates are separated by a consumption operatecompressible or Many ink electrostatic fluid dielectric types can bedevices in an (usually air). Upon used aqueous application of a Fastenvironment voltage, the plates operation The attract each otherelectrostatic and displace ink, actuator will causing drop normally needto ejection. The be separated conductive plates from the ink may be in acomb Very large or honeycomb area required to structure, or achieve highstacked to increase forces the surface area High and therefore thevoltage drive force. transistors may be required Full pagewidth printheads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strongelectric Low current High 1989 Saito pull field is applied toconsumption voltage required et al, U.S. Pat. No. on ink the ink,whereupon Low May be 4,799,068 electrostatic temperature damaged by 1989Miura attraction sparks due to air et al, U.S. Pat. No. accelerates theink breakdown 4,810,954 towards the print Required Tone-jet medium.field strength increases as the drop size decreases High voltage drivetransistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent Anelectromagnet Low power Complex IJ07, IJ10 magnet directly attracts aconsumption fabrication electro- permanent magnet, Many ink Permanentmagnetic displacing ink and types can be magnetic causing drop usedmaterial such as ejection. Rare Fast Neodymium Iron earth magnets withoperation Boron (NdFeB) a field strength High required. around 1 Teslacan efficiency High local be used. Examples Easy currents required are:Samarium extension from Copper Cobalt (SaCo) and single nozzles tometalization magnetic materials pagewidth print should be used in theneodymium heads for long iron boron family electromigration (NdFeB,lifetime and low NdDyFeBNb, resistivity NdDyFeB, etc) Pigmented inks areusually infeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curietemperature (around 540 K) Soft A solenoid Low power Complex IJ01, IJ05,magnetic induced a consumption fabrication IJ08, IJ10, IJ12, coremagnetic field in a Many ink Materials IJ14, IJ15, IJ17 electro- softmagnetic core types can be not usually magnetic or yoke fabricated usedpresent in a from a ferrous Fast CMOS fab such material such asoperation as NiFe, electroplated iron High CoNiFe, or CoFe alloys suchas efficiency are required CoNiFe [1], CoFe, Easy High local or NiFealloys. extension from currents required Typically, the soft singlenozzles to Copper magnetic material pagewidth print metalization is intwo parts, heads should be used which are for long normally heldelectromigration apart by a spring. lifetime and low When the solenoidresistivity is actuated, the two Electroplating parts attract, isrequired displacing the ink. High saturation flux density is required(2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Lorenz The Lorenz force Lowpower Force acts IJ06, IJ11, force acting on a current consumption as atwisting IJ13, IJ16 carrying wire in a Many ink motion magnetic field istypes can be Typically, utilized. used only a quarter of This allows theFast the solenoid magnetic field to operation length provides besupplied High force in a useful externally to the efficiency directionprint head, for Easy High local example with rare extension fromcurrents required earth permanent single nozzles to Copper magnets.pagewidth print metalization Only the current heads should be usedcarrying wire need for long be fabricated on electromigration theprint-head, lifetime and low simplifying resistivity materials Pigmentedrequirements. inks are usually infeasible Magneto- The actuator usesMany ink Force acts Fischenbeck, striction the giant types can be as atwisting U.S. Pat. No. magnetostrictive used motion 4,032,929 effect ofmaterials Fast Unusual IJ25 such as Terfenol-D operation materials suchas (an alloy of Easy Terfenol-D are terbium, extension from requireddysprosium and single nozzles to High local iron developed at pagewidthprint currents required the Naval heads Copper Ordnance High forcemetalization Laboratory, hence is available should be used Ter-Fe-NOL).For for long best efficiency, the electromigration actuator should belifetime and low pre-stressed to resistivity approx. 8 MPa. Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under positive Low power RequiresSilverbrook, tension pressure is held in consumption supplementary EP0771 658 A2 reduction a nozzle by surface Simple force to effect andrelated tension. The construction drop separation patent surface tensionof No unusual Requires applications the ink is reduced materials specialink below the bubble required in surfactants threshold, causingfabrication Speed may the ink to egress High be limited by from thenozzle. efficiency surfactant Easy properties extension from singlenozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity SimpleRequires Silverbrook, reduction is locally reduced constructionsupplementary EP 0771 658 A2 to select which No unusual force to effectand related drops are to be materials drop separation patent ejected. Arequired in Requires applications viscosity reduction fabricationspecial ink can be achieved Easy viscosity electrothermally extensionfrom properties with most inks, but single nozzles to High speed specialinks can be pagewidth print is difficult to engineered for a headsachieve 100:1 viscosity Requires reduction. oscillating ink pressure Ahigh temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required AcousticAn acoustic wave Can operate Complex 1993 is generated and without anozzle drive circuitry Hadimioglu et focussed upon the plate Complex al,EUP 550,192 drop ejection fabrication 1993 Elrod region. Low et al, EUPefficiency 572,220 Poor control of drop position Poor control of dropvolume Thermo- An actuator which Low power Efficient IJ03, IJ09, elasticrelies upon consumption aqueous IJ17, IJ18, IJ19, bend differential Manyink operation IJ20, IJ21, IJ22, actuator thermal expansion types can berequires a IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, upon Joule heating used thermal insulatorIJ28, IJ29, IJ30, is used. Simple on the hot side IJ31, IJ32, IJ33,planar Corrosion IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, fabrication prevention can IJ37,IJ38, IJ39, Small chip be difficult IJ40, IJ41 area required forPigmented each actuator inks may be Fast infeasible, as operationpigment particles High may jam the efficiency bend actuator CMOScompatible voltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be usedEasy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE Amaterial with a High force Requires IJ09, IJ17, thermo- very high can begenerated special material IJ18, IJ20, IJ21, elastic coefficient ofThree (e.g. PTFE) IJ22, IJ23, IJ24, actuator thermal expansion methodsof Requires a IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, (CTE) such as PTFE deposition PTFEdeposition IJ30, IJ31, IJ42, polytetrafluoroethylene are under process,which is IJ43, IJ44 (PTFE) is development: not yet standard used. Ashigh CTE chemical vapor in ULSI fabs materials are deposition PTFEusually non- (CVD), spin deposition conductive, a coating, and cannot beheater fabricated evaporation followed with from a conductive PTFE is ahigh temperature material is candidate for (above 350° C.) incorporated.A 50 μm low dielectric processing long PTFE constant Pigmented bendactuator with insulation in inks may be polysilicon heater ULSIinfeasible, as and 15 mW power Very low pigment particles input canprovide power may jam the 180 μN force and consumption bend actuator 10μm deflection. Many ink Actuator motions types can be include: used BendSimple Push planar Buckle fabrication Rotate Small chip area requiredfor each actuator Fast operation High efficiency CMOS compatiblevoltages and currents Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidthprint heads Conductive A polymer with a High force Requires IJ24 polymerhigh coefficient of can be generated special materials thermo- thermalexpansion Very low development elastic (such as PTFE) is power (High CTEactuator doped with consumption conductive conducting Many ink polymer)substances to types can be Requires a increase its used PTFE depositionconductivity to Simple process, which is about 3 orders of planar notyet standard magnitude below fabrication in ULSI fabs that of copper.The Small chip PTFE conducting area required for deposition polymerexpands each actuator cannot be when resistively Fast followed withheated. operation high temperature Examples of High (above 350° C.)conducting efficiency processing dopants include: CMOS EvaporationCarbon nanotubes compatible and CVD Metal fibers voltages and depositionConductive currents techniques polymers such as Easy cannot be useddoped extension from Pigmented polythiophene single nozzles to inks maybe Carbon granules pagewidth print infeasible, as heads pigmentparticles may jam the bend actuator Shape A shape memory High forceFatigue IJ26 memory alloy such as TiNi is available limits maximum alloy(also known as (stresses of number of cycles Nitinol —Nickel hundreds ofLow strain Titanium alloy MPa) (1%) is required developed at the Largestrain to extend fatigue Naval Ordnance is available resistanceLaboratory) is (more than 3%) Cycle rate thermally switched High limitedby heat between its weak corrosion removal martensitic state resistanceRequires and its high Simple unusual stiffness austenic constructionmaterials (TiNi) state. The shape of Easy The latent the actuator in itsextension from heat of martensitic state is single nozzles totransformation deformed relative pagewidth print must be to the austenicheads provided shape. The shape Low High change causes voltage currentoperation ejection of a drop. operation Requires pre-stressing todistort the martensitic state Linear Linear magnetic Linear RequiresIJ12 Magnetic actuators include Magnetic unusual Actuator the Linearactuators can be semiconductor Induction Actuator constructed withmaterials such as (LIA), Linear high thrust, long soft magneticPermanent Magnet travel, and high alloys (e.g. Synchronous efficiencyusing CoNiFe) Actuator planar Some (LPMSA), Linear semiconductorvarieties also Reluctance fabrication require Synchronous techniquespermanent Actuator (LRSA), Long magnetic Linear Switched actuator travelis materials such as Reluctance available Neodymium iron Actuator(LSRA), Medium boron (NdFeB) and the Linear force is available RequiresStepper Actuator Low complex multi- (LSA). voltage phase drive operationcircuitry High current operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesActuator This is the Simple Drop Thermal ink directly simplest mode ofoperation repetition rate is jet pushes operation: the No externalusually limited Piezoelectric ink actuator directly fields required toaround 10 kHz. ink jet supplies sufficient Satellite However, IJ01,IJ02, kinetic energy to drops can be this is not IJ03, IJ04, IJ05, expelthe drop. avoided if drop fundamental to IJ06, IJ07, IJ09, The drop mustvelocity is less the method, but IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, have a sufficientthan 4 m/s is related to the IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, velocity to Can be refillmethod IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, overcome the efficient, normally used IJ26,IJ27, IJ28, surface tension. depending upon All of the IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,the actuator used drop kinetic IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, energy must be IJ35,IJ36, IJ37, provided by the IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, actuator IJ41, IJ42, IJ43,Satellite IJ44 drops usually form if drop velocity is greater than 4.5m/s Proximity The drops to be Very simple Requires Silverbrook, printedare print head close proximity EP 0771 658 A2 selected by somefabrication can between the and related manner (e.g. be used print headand patent thermally induced The drop the print media applicationssurface tension selection means or transfer roller reduction of does notneed to May require pressurized ink). provide the two print headsSelected drops are energy required printing alternate separated from theto separate the rows of the ink in the nozzle drop from the image bycontact with the nozzle Monolithic print medium or a color print headstransfer roller. are difficult Electrostatic The drops to be Very simpleRequires Silverbrook, pull printed are print head very high EP 0771 658A2 on ink selected by some fabrication can electrostatic field andrelated manner (e.g. be used Electrostatic patent thermally induced Thedrop field for small applications surface tension selection means nozzlesizes is Tone-Jet reduction of does not need to above air pressurizedink). provide the breakdown Selected drops are energy requiredElectrostatic separated from the to separate the field may ink in thenozzle drop from the attract dust by a strong electric nozzle field.Magnetic The drops to be Very simple Requires Silverbrook, pull onprinted are print head magnetic ink EP 0771 658 A2 ink selected by somefabrication can Ink colors and related manner (e.g. be used other thanblack patent thermally induced The drop are difficult applicationssurface tension selection means Requires reduction of does not need tovery high pressurized ink). provide the magnetic fields Selected dropsare energy required separated from the to separate the ink in the nozzledrop from the by a strong nozzle magnetic field acting on the magneticink. Shutter The actuator High speed Moving IJ13, IJ17, moves a shutterto (>50 kHz) parts are IJ21 block ink flow to operation can be requiredthe nozzle. The ink achieved due to Requires pressure is pulsed reducedrefill ink pressure at a multiple of the time modulator drop ejectionDrop timing Friction and frequency. can be very wear must be accurateconsidered The Stiction is actuator energy possible can be very lowShuttered The actuator Actuators Moving IJ08, IJ15, grill moves ashutter to with small travel parts are IJ18, IJ19 block ink flow can beused required through a grill to Actuators Requires the nozzle. The withsmall force ink pressure shutter movement can be used modulator needonly be equal High speed Friction and to the width of the (>50 kHz) wearmust be grill holes. operation can be considered achieved Stiction ispossible Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Extremely Requires an IJ10 magneticfield attracts an low energy external pulsed pull on ‘ink pusher’ at theoperation is magnetic field ink drop ejection possible Requires pusherfrequency. An No heat special materials actuator controls a dissipationfor both the catch, which problems actuator and the prevents the ink inkpusher pusher from Complex moving when a construction drop is not to beejected.

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples None The actuator Simplicity Drop Most inkdirectly fires the of construction ejection energy jets, including inkdrop, and there Simplicity must be supplied piezoelectric and is noexternal field of operation by individual thermal bubble. or other Smallnozzle actuator IJ01, IJ02, mechanism physical size IJ03, IJ04, IJ05,required. IJ07, IJ09, IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24, IJ25,IJ26, IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ37,IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Oscillating The ink pressureOscillating Requires Silverbrook, ink oscillates, ink pressure canexternal ink EP 0771 658 A2 pressure providing much of provide a refillpressure and related (including the drop ejection pulse, allowingoscillator patent acoustic energy. The higher operating Ink pressureapplications stimulation) actuator selects speed phase and IJ08, IJ13,which drops are to The amplitude must IJ15, IJ17, IJ18, be fired byactuators may be carefully IJ19, IJ21 selectively operate withcontrolled blocking or much lower Acoustic enabling nozzles. energyreflections in the The ink pressure Acoustic ink chamber oscillation maybe lenses can be must be achieved by used to focus the designed forvibrating the print sound on the head, or preferably nozzles by anactuator in the ink supply. Media The print head is Low power PrecisionSilverbrook, proximity placed in close High assembly EP 0771 658 A2proximity to the accuracy required and related print medium. Simpleprint Paper fibers patent Selected drops head may cause applicationsprotrude from the construction problems print head further Cannot thanunselected print on rough drops, and contact substrates the printmedium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause dropseparation. Transfer Drops are printed High Bulky Silverbrook, roller toa transfer roller accuracy Expensive EP 0771 658 A2 instead of straightWide range Complex and related to the print of print construction patentmedium. A substrates can be applications transfer roller can usedTektronix also be used for Ink can be hot melt proximity drop dried onthe piezoelectric ink separation. transfer roller jet Any of the IJseries Electrostatic An electric field is Low power Field Silverbrook,used to accelerate Simple print strength required EP 0771 658 A2selected drops head for separation of and related towards the printconstruction small drops is patent medium. near or above airapplications breakdown Tone-Jet Direct A magnetic field is Low powerRequires Silverbrook, magnetic used to accelerate Simple print magneticink EP 0771 658 A2 field selected drops of head Requires and relatedmagnetic ink construction strong magnetic patent towards the print fieldapplications medium. Cross The print head is Does not Requires IJ06,IJ16 magnetic placed in a require magnetic external magnet fieldconstant magnetic materials to be Current field. The Lorenz integratedin the densities may be force in a current print head high, resulting incarrying wire is manufacturing electromigration used to move the processproblems actuator. Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Very low Complex IJ10magnetic field is used to power operation print head field cyclicallyattract a is possible construction paddle, which Small print Magneticpushes on the ink. head size materials A small actuator required inprint moves a catch, head which selectively prevents the paddle frommoving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples None No actuator Operational Many Thermalmechanical simplicity actuator Bubble Ink jet amplification ismechanisms IJ01, IJ02, used. The actuator have insufficient IJ06, IJ07,IJ16, directly drives the travel, or IJ25, IJ26 drop ejectioninsufficient process. force, to efficiently drive the drop ejectionprocess Differential An actuator Provides High Piezoelectric expansionmaterial expands greater travel in stresses are IJ03, IJ09, bend more onone side a reduced print involved IJ17, IJ18, IJ19, actuator than on theother. head area Care must IJ20, IJ21, IJ22, The expansion be taken thatthe IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, may be thermal, materials do not IJ29, IJ30, IJ31,piezoelectric, delaminate IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, magnetostrictive, ResidualIJ35, IJ36, IJ37, or other bend resulting IJ38, IJ39, IJ42, mechanism.The from high IJ43, IJ44 bend actuator temperature or converts a highhigh stress force low travel during formation actuator mechanism to hightravel, lower force mechanism. Transient A trilayer bend Very good HighIJ40, IJ41 bend actuator where the temperature stresses are actuator twooutside layers stability involved are identical. This High speed, Caremust cancels bend due as a new drop be taken that the to ambient can befired materials do not temperature and before heat delaminate residualstress. The dissipates actuator only Cancels responds to residual stressof transient heating of formation one side or the other. Reverse Theactuator loads Better Fabrication IJ05, IJ11 spring a spring. When thecoupling to the complexity actuator is turned ink High stress off, thespring in the spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curveof the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirementsof the drop ejection. Actuator A series of thin Increased Increased Somestack actuators are travel fabrication piezoelectric ink stacked. Thiscan Reduced complexity jets be appropriate drive voltage Increased IJ04where actuators possibility of require high short circuits due electricfield to pinholes strength, such as electrostatic and piezoelectricactuators. Multiple Multiple smaller Increases Actuator IJ12, IJ13,actuators actuators are used the force forces may not IJ18, IJ20, IJ22,simultaneously to available from add linearly, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 move theink. Each an actuator reducing actuator need Multiple efficiency provideonly a actuators can be portion of the positioned to force required.control ink flow accurately Linear A linear spring is Matches RequiresIJ15 Spring used to transform a low travel print head area motion withsmall actuator with for the spring travel and high higher travel forceinto a longer requirements travel, lower force Non-contact motion.method of motion transformation Coiled A bend actuator is IncreasesGenerally IJ17, IJ21, actuator coiled to provide travel restricted toIJ34, IJ35 greater travel in a Reduces planar reduced chip area. chiparea implementations Planar due to extreme implementations fabricationare relatively difficulty in easy to fabricate. other orientations.Flexure A bend actuator Simple Care must IJ10, IJ19, bend has a smallregion means of be taken not to IJ33 actuator near the fixtureincreasing travel exceed the point, which flexes of a bend elastic limitin much more readily actuator the flexure area than the remainder Stressof the actuator. distribution is The actuator very uneven flexing isDifficult to effectively accurately model converted from an with finiteeven coiling to an element analysis angular bend, resulting in greatertravel of the actuator tip. Catch The actuator Very low Complex IJ10controls a small actuator energy construction catch. The catch Verysmall Requires either enables or actuator size external force disablesmovement Unsuitable of an ink pusher for pigmented that is controlledinks in a bulk manner. Gears Gears can be used Low force, Moving IJ13 toincrease travel low travel parts are at the expense of actuators can berequired duration. Circular used Several gears, rack and Can be actuatorcycles pinion, ratchets, fabricated using are required and other gearingstandard surface More methods can be MEMS complex drive used. processeselectronics Complex construction Friction, friction, and wear arepossible Buckle A buckle plate can Very fast Must stay S. Hirata etplate be used to change movement within elastic al, “An Ink-jet a slowactuator achievable limits of the Head Using into a fast motion.materials for Diaphragm It can also convert long device lifeMicroactuator”, a high force, low High Proc. IEEE travel actuator intostresses involved MEMS, February a high travel, Generally 1996, pp418-423. medium force high power IJ18, IJ27 motion. requirement TaperedA tapered Linearizes Complex IJ14 magnetic magnetic pole can themagnetic construction pole increase travel at force/distance the expenseof curve force. Lever A lever and Matches High stress IJ32, IJ36,fulcrum is used to low travel around the IJ37 transform a motionactuator with fulcrum with small travel higher travel and high forceinto requirements a motion with Fulcrum longer travel and area has nolower force. The linear lever can also movement, and reverse the can beused for a direction of travel. fluid seal Rotary The actuator is HighComplex IJ28 impeller connected to a mechanical construction rotaryimpeller. A advantage Unsuitable small angular The ratio of forpigmented deflection of the force to travel of inks actuator results inthe actuator can a rotation of the be matched to impeller vanes, thenozzle which push the ink requirements by against stationary varying thevanes and out of number of the nozzle. impeller vanes Acoustic Arefractive or No moving Large area 1993 lens diffractive (e.g. partsrequired Hadimioglu et zone plate) Only al, EUP 550,192 acoustic lens isrelevant for 1993 Elrod used to concentrate acoustic ink jets et al, EUPsound waves. 572,220 Sharp A sharp point is Simple Difficult to Tone-jetconductive used to concentrate construction fabricate using point anelectrostatic standard VLSI field. processes for a surface ejectingink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume Thevolume of the Simple High energy Hewlett- expansion actuator changes,construction in is typically Packard Thermal pushing the ink in the caseof required to Ink jet all directions. thermal ink jet achieve volumeCanon expansion. This Bubblejet leads to thermal stress, cavitation, andkogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuatorEfficient High IJ01, IJ02, normal to moves in a coupling to inkfabrication IJ04, IJ07, IJ11, chip direction normal to drops ejectedcomplexity may IJ14 surface the print head normal to the be required tosurface. The surface achieve nozzle is typically perpendicular in theline of motion movement. Parallel to The actuator Suitable forFabrication IJ12, IJ13, chip moves parallel to planar complexity IJ15,IJ33,, IJ34, surface the print head fabrication Friction IJ35, IJ36surface. Drop Stiction ejection may still be normal to the surface.Membrane An actuator with a The Fabrication 1982 push high force buteffective area of complexity Howkins U.S. Pat. No. small area is usedthe actuator Actuator 4,459,601 to push a stiff becomes the sizemembrane that is membrane area Difficulty in contact with the ofintegration in ink. a VLSI process Rotary The actuator Rotary DeviceIJ05, IJ08, causes the rotation levers may be complexity IJ13, IJ28 ofsome element, used to increase May have such a grill or travel frictionat a pivot impeller Small chip point area requirements Bend The actuatorbends A very Requires 1970 Kyser when energized. small change in theactuator to be et al U.S. Pat. No. This may be due to dimensions canmade from at 3,946,398 differential be converted to a least two distinct1973 thermal expansion, large motion. layers, or to have Stemme U.S.Pat. No. piezoelectric a thermal 3,747,120 expansion, difference acrossIJ03, IJ09, magnetostriction, the actuator IJ10, IJ19, IJ23, or otherform of IJ24, IJ25, IJ29, relative IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, dimensional IJ34,IJ35 change. Swivel The actuator Allows Inefficient IJ06 swivels arounda operation where coupling to the central pivot. This the net linear inkmotion motion is suitable force on the where there are paddle is zeroopposite forces Small chip applied to opposite area sides of the paddle,requirements e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten The actuator is Can be usedRequires IJ26, IJ32 normally bent, and with shape careful balancestraightens when memory alloys of stresses to energized. where theensure that the austenic phase is quiescent bend is planar accurateDouble The actuator bends One Difficult to IJ36, IJ37, bend in onedirection actuator can be make the drops IJ38 when one element used topower ejected by both is energized, and two nozzles. bend directionsbends the other Reduced identical. way when another chip size. A smallelement is Not efficiency loss energized. sensitive to compared toambient equivalent single temperature bend actuators. Shear Energizingthe Can Not readily 1985 actuator causes a increase the applicable toFishbeck U.S. Pat. No. shear motion in the effective travel otheractuator 4,584,590 actuator material. of piezoelectric mechanismsactuators Radial The actuator Relatively High force 1970 Zoltanconstriction squeezes an ink easy to fabricate required U.S. Pat. No.3,683,212 reservoir, forcing single nozzles Inefficient ink from a fromglass Difficult to constricted nozzle. tubing as integrate withmacroscopic VLSI processes structures Coil/ A coiled actuator Easy toDifficult to IJ17, IJ21, uncoil uncoils or coils fabricate as afabricate for IJ34, IJ35 more tightly. The planar VLSI non-planar motionof the free process devices end of the actuator Small area Poor out-of-ejects the ink. required, plane stiffness therefore low cost Bow Theactuator bows Can Maximum IJ16, IJ18, (or buckles) in the increase thetravel is IJ27 middle when speed of travel constrained energized.Mechanically High force rigid required Push-Pull Two actuators The Notreadily IJ18 control a shutter. structure is suitable for ink Oneactuator pulls pinned at both jets which the shutter, and the ends, sohas a directly push the other pushes it. high out-of- ink plane rigidityCurl A set of actuators Good fluid Design IJ20, IJ42 inwards curlinwards to flow to the complexity reduce the volume region behind of inkthat they the actuator enclose. increases efficiency Curl A set ofactuators Relatively Relatively IJ43 outwards curl outwards, simplelarge chip area pressurizing ink in construction a chamber surroundingthe actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. IrisMultiple vanes High High IJ22 enclose a volume efficiency fabrication ofink. These Small chip complexity simultaneously area Not suitablerotate, reducing for pigmented the volume inks between the vanes.Acoustic The actuator The Large area 1993 vibration vibrates at a highactuator can be required for Hadimioglu et frequency. physicallyefficient al, EUP 550,192 distant from the operation at 1993 Elrod inkuseful et al, EUP frequencies 572,220 Acoustic coupling and crosstalkComplex drive circuitry Poor control of drop volume and position None Invarious ink jet No moving Various Silverbrook, designs the parts othertradeoffs EP 0771 658 A2 actuator does not are required to and relatedmove. eliminate patent moving parts applications Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesSurface This is the normal Fabrication Low speed Thermal ink tension waythat ink jets simplicity Surface jet are refilled. After Operationaltension force Piezoelectric the actuator is simplicity relatively smallink jet energized, it compared to IJ01-IJ07, typically returns actuatorforce IJ10-IJ14, IJ16, rapidly to its Long refill IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 normalposition. time usually This rapid return dominates the sucks in airtotal repetition through the nozzle rate opening. The ink surfacetension at the nozzle then exerts a small force restoring the meniscusto a minimum area. This force refills the nozzle. Shuttered Ink to thenozzle High speed Requires IJ08, IJ13, oscillating chamber is Low commonink IJ15, IJ17, IJ18, ink provided at a actuator energy, pressure IJ19,IJ21 pressure pressure that as the actuator oscillator oscillates attwice need only open May not be the drop ejection or close the suitablefor frequency. When a shutter, instead pigmented inks drop is to be ofejecting the ejected, the shutter ink drop is opened for 3 half cycles:drop ejection, actuator return, and refill. The shutter is then closedto prevent the nozzle chamber emptying during the next negative pressurecycle. Refill After the main High speed, Requires IJ09 actuator actuatorhas as the nozzle is two independent ejected a drop a actively refilledactuators per second (refill) nozzle actuator is energized. The refillactuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returnsslowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. PositiveThe ink is held a High refill Surface Silverbrook, ink slight positiverate, therefore a spill must be EP 0771 658 A2 pressure pressure. Afterthe high drop prevented and related ink drop is ejected, repetition rateis Highly patent the nozzle possible hydrophobic applications chamberfills print head Alternative quickly as surface surfaces are for:,IJ01-IJ07, tension and ink required IJ10-IJ14, IJ16, pressure both IJ20,IJ22-IJ45 operate to refill the nozzle.

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Long inlet The ink inlet Design Restricts Thermalink channel channel to the simplicity refill rate jet nozzle chamber isOperational May result Piezoelectric made long and simplicity in arelatively ink jet relatively narrow, Reduces large chip area IJ42, IJ43relying on viscous crosstalk Only drag to reduce partially inletback-flow. effective Positive The ink is under a Drop Requires aSilverbrook, ink positive pressure, selection and method (such as EP0771 658 A2 pressure so that in the separation forces a nozzle rim orand related quiescent state can be reduced effective patent some of theink Fast refill hydrophobizing, applications drop already time or both)to Possible protrudes from the prevent flooding operation of the nozzle.of the ejection following: IJ01-IJ07, This reduces the surface of theIJ09-IJ12, pressure in the print head. IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, nozzle chamberIJ22,, IJ23-IJ34, which is required IJ36-IJ41, IJ44 to eject a certainvolume of ink. The reduction in chamber pressure results in a reductionin ink pushed out through the inlet. Baffle One or more The refillDesign HP Thermal baffles are placed rate is not as complexity Ink Jetin the inlet ink restricted as the May Tektronix flow. When the longinlet increase piezoelectric ink actuator is method. fabrication jetenergized, the Reduces complexity (e.g. rapid ink crosstalk Tektronixhot movement creates melt eddies which Piezoelectric restrict the flowprint heads). through the inlet. The slower refill process isunrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible In this methodSignificantly Not Canon flap recently disclosed reduces back- applicableto restricts by Canon, the flow for edge- most ink jet inlet expandingactuator shooter thermal configurations (bubble) pushes on ink jetdevices Increased a flexible flap that fabrication restricts the inlet.complexity Inelastic deformation of polymer flap results in creep overextended use Inlet filter A filter is located Additional Restricts IJ04,IJ12, between the ink advantage of ink refill rate IJ24, IJ27, IJ29,inlet and the filtration May result IJ30 nozzle chamber. Ink filter incomplex The filter has a may be construction multitude of smallfabricated with holes or slots, no additional restricting ink processsteps flow. The filter also removes particles which may block thenozzle. Small The ink inlet Design Restricts IJ02, IJ37, inlet channelto the simplicity refill rate IJ44 compared nozzle chamber May result tonozzle has a substantially in a relatively smaller cross large chip areasection than that of Only the nozzle, partially resulting in easiereffective ink egress out of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet Asecondary Increases Requires IJ09 shutter actuator controls speed of theink- separate refill the position of a jet print head actuator andshutter, closing off operation drive circuit the ink inlet when the mainactuator is energized. The inlet The method avoids Back-flow RequiresIJ01, IJ03, is located the problem of problem is careful design to 1J05,IJ06, IJ07, behind inlet back-flow by eliminated minimize the IJ10,IJ11, IJ14, the ink- arranging the ink- negative IJ16, IJ22, IJ23,pushing pushing surface of pressure behind IJ25, IJ28, IJ31, surface theactuator the paddle IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, between the inlet IJ35, IJ36,IJ39, and the nozzle. IJ40, IJ41 Part of The actuator and a SignificantSmall IJ07, IJ20, the wall of the ink reductions in increase in IJ26,IJ38 actuator chamber are back-flow can be fabrication moves to arrangedso that achieved complexity shut off the motion of the Compact the inletactuator closes off designs possible the inlet. Nozzle In some Ink back-None Silverbrook, actuator configurations of flow problem is related toink EP 0771 658 A2 does not ink jet, there is no eliminated back-flow onand related result in expansion or actuation patent ink back- movementof an applications flow actuator which Valve-jet may cause ink Tone-jetback-flow through the inlet.

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesNormal All of the nozzles No added May not be Most ink jet nozzle arefired complexity on sufficient to systems firing periodically, the printhead displace dried IJ01, IJ02, before the ink has ink IJ03, IJ04, IJ05,a chance to dry. IJ06, IJ07, IJ09, When not in use IJ10, IJ11, IJ12, thenozzles are IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, sealed (capped) IJ22, IJ23, IJ24, againstair. IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, The nozzle firing IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, is usuallyIJ31, IJ32, IJ33, performed during a IJ34, IJ36, IJ37, special clearingIJ38, IJ39, IJ40,, cycle, after first IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, moving the printIJ44,, IJ45 head to a cleaning station. Extra In systems which Can beRequires Silverbrook, power to heat the ink, but do highly effectivehigher drive EP 0771 658 A2 ink heater not boil it under if the heateris voltage for and related normal situations, adjacent to the clearingpatent nozzle clearing can nozzle May require applications be achievedby larger drive over-powering the transistors heater and boiling ink atthe nozzle. Rapid The actuator is Does not Effectiveness May besuccession fired in rapid require extra depends used with: IJ01, ofsuccession. In drive circuits on substantially IJ02, IJ03, IJ04,actuator some the print head upon the IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, pulsesconfigurations, this Can be configuration of IJ09, IJ10, IJ11, may causeheat readily the ink jet nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, build-up at thecontrolled and IJ22, IJ23, IJ24, nozzle which boils initiated by IJ25,IJ27, IJ28, the ink, clearing digital logic IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, thenozzle. In other IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, situations, it may IJ36, IJ37, IJ38,cause sufficient IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, vibrations to IJ42, IJ43, IJ44,dislodge clogged IJ45 nozzles. Extra Where an actuator A simple Notsuitable May be power to is not normally solution where where there is aused with: IJ03, ink driven to the limit applicable hard limit to IJ09,IJ16, IJ20, pushing of its motion, actuator IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, actuatornozzle clearing movement IJ27, IJ29, IJ30, may be assisted by IJ31,IJ32, IJ39, providing an IJ40, IJ41, IJ42, enhanced drive IJ43, IJ44,IJ45 signal to the actuator. Acoustic An ultrasonic A high High IJ08,IJ13, resonance wave is applied to nozzle clearing implementation IJ15,IJ17, IJ18, the ink chamber. capability can be cost if system IJ19, IJ21This wave is of an achieved does not already appropriate May be includean amplitude and implemented at acoustic actuator frequency to causevery low cost in sufficient force at systems which the nozzle to clearalready include blockages. This is acoustic easiest to achieve actuatorsif the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant frequency of the ink cavity.Nozzle A microfabricated Can clear Accurate Silverbrook, clearing plateis pushed severely clogged mechanical EP 0771 658 A2 plate against thenozzles alignment is and related nozzles. The plate required patent hasa post for Moving applications every nozzle. A parts are post movesrequired through each There is nozzle, displacing risk of damage driedink. to the nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink The pressure ofthe May be Requires May be pressure ink is temporarily effective wherepressure pump used with all IJ pulse increased so that other methods orother pressure series ink jets ink streams from cannot be used actuatorall of the nozzles. Expensive This may be used Wasteful of inconjunction ink with actuator energizing. Print A flexible ‘blade’Effective Difficult to Many ink head is wiped across the for planarprint use if print head jet systems wiper print head surface. headsurfaces surface is non- The blade is Low cost planar or very usuallyfabricated fragile from a flexible Requires polymer, e.g. mechanicalparts rubber or synthetic Blade can elastomer. wear out in high volumeprint systems Separate A separate heater Can be Fabrication Can be usedink is provided at the effective where complexity with many IJ boilingnozzle although other nozzle series ink jets heater the normal drop e-clearing methods ection mechanism cannot be used does not require it.Can be The heaters do not implemented at require individual noadditional drive circuits, as cost in some ink many nozzles can jet becleared configurations simultaneously, and no imaging is required.

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesElectroformed A nozzle plate Fabrication High Hewlett nickel isseparately simplicity temperatures and Packard Thermal fabricated frompressures are Ink jet electroformed required to bond nickel, and nozzleplate bonded to the Minimum print head chip. thickness constraintsDifferential thermal expansion Laser Individual No masks Each hole Canonablated or nozzle holes are required must be Bubblejet drilled ablatedby an Can be individually 1988 Sercel polymer intense UV quite fastformed et al., SPIE, Vol. laser in a nozzle Some Special 998 Excimerplate, which is control over equipment Beam typically a nozzle profileis required Applications, pp. polymer such as possible Slow where 76-83polyimide or Equipment there are many 1993 polysulphone required isthousands of Watanabe et al., relatively low nozzles per print U.S. Pat.No. 5,208,604 cost head May produce thin burrs at exit holes Silicon Aseparate High Two part K. Bean, micromachined nozzle plate is accuracyis construction IEEE micromachined attainable High cost Transactions onfrom single Requires Electron crystal silicon, precision Devices, Vol.and bonded to alignment ED-25, No. 10, the print head Nozzles 1978, pp1185-1195 wafer. may be clogged Xerox 1990 by adhesive Hawkins et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass No Very small 1970 Zoltancapillaries capillaries are expensive nozzle sizes are U.S. Pat. No.3,683,212 drawn from equipment difficult to form glass tubing. requiredNot suited This method Simple to for mass has been used make singleproduction for making nozzles individual nozzles, but is difficult touse for bulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles.Monolithic, The nozzle High Requires Silverbrook, surface plate isaccuracy (<1 μm) sacrificial layer EP 0771 658 A2 micromachineddeposited as a Monolithic under the nozzle and related using VLSI layerusing Low cost plate to form the patent litho- standard VLSI Existingnozzle chamber applications graphic deposition processes can be SurfaceIJ01, IJ02, processes techniques. used may be fragile to IJ04, IJ11,IJ12, Nozzles are the touch IJ17, IJ18, IJ20, etched in the IJ22, IJ24,IJ27, nozzle plate IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, using VLSI IJ31, IJ32, IJ33,lithography and IJ34, IJ36, IJ37, etching. IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42,IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, The nozzle High Requires IJ03, IJ05, etched plateis a buried accuracy (<1 μm) long etch times IJ06, IJ07, IJ08, throughetch stop in the Monolithic Requires a IJ09, IJ10, IJ13, substratewafer. Nozzle Low cost support wafer IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, chambers are NoIJ19, IJ21, IJ23, etched in the differential IJ25, IJ26 front of theexpansion wafer, and the wafer is thinned from the back side. Nozzlesare then etched in the etch stop layer. No nozzle Various No nozzlesDifficult to Ricoh 1995 plate methods have to become control drop Sekiyaet al U.S. Pat. No. been tried to clogged position 5,412,413 eliminatethe accurately 1993 nozzles entirely, Crosstalk Hadimioglu et al toprevent problems EUP 550,192 nozzle 1993 Elrod clogging. These et al EUPinclude thermal 572,220 bubble mechanisms and acoustic lens mechanismsTrough Each drop Reduced Drop firing IJ35 ejector has a manufacturingdirection is trough through complexity sensitive to which a paddleMonolithic wicking. moves. There is no nozzle plate. Nozzle slit Theelimination No nozzles Difficult to 1989 Saito instead of of nozzleholes to become control drop et al U.S. Pat. No. individual andreplacement clogged position 4,799,068 nozzles by a slit accuratelyencompassing Crosstalk many actuator problems positions reduces nozzleclogging, but increases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesEdge Ink flow is Simple Nozzles Canon (‘edge along the constructionlimited to edge Bubblejet 1979 shooter’ surface of the No silicon HighEndo et al GB chip, and ink etching required resolution is patent2,007,162 drops are Good heat difficult Xerox ejected from the sinkingvia Fast color heater-in-pit chip edge. substrate printing requires 1990Hawkins et Mechanically one print head al U.S. Pat. No. strong per color4,899,181 Ease of chip Tone-jet handing Surface Ink flow is No bulkMaximum Hewlett- (‘roof along the silicon etching ink flow is PackardTIJ shooter’) surface of the required severely 1982 Vaught et chip, andink Silicon can restricted al U.S. Pat. No. drops are make an 4,490,728ejected from the effective heat IJ02, IJ11, chip surface, sink IJ12,IJ20, IJ22 normal to the Mechanical plane of the strength chip. ThroughInk flow is High ink Requires Silverbrook, chip, through the flow bulksilicon EP 0771 658 A2 forward chip, and ink Suitable for etching andrelated (‘up drops are pagewidth print patent shooter’) ejected from theheads applications front surface of High nozzle IJ04, IJ17, the chip.packing density IJ18, IJ24, IJ27-IJ45 therefore low manufacturing costThrough Ink flow is High ink Requires IJ01, IJ03, chip, reverse throughthe flow wafer thinning IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, (‘down chip, and ink Suitablefor Requires IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, shooter’) drops are pagewidth printspecial handling IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, ejected from the heads during IJ16,IJ19, IJ21, rear surface of High nozzle manufacture IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 thechip. packing density therefore low manufacturing cost Through Ink flowis Suitable for Pagewidth Epson actuator through the piezoelectric printheads Stylus actuator, which print heads require several Tektronix isnot fabricated thousand hot melt as part of the connections topiezoelectric ink same substrate drive circuits jets as the drive Cannotbe transistors. manufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complex assemblyrequired

INK TYPE Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, Waterbased ink Environmentally Slow drying Most dye which typically friendlyCorrosive existing ink jets contains: water, No odor Bleeds on All IJseries dye, surfactant, paper ink jets humectant, and May Silverbrook,biocide. strikethrough EP 0771 658 A2 Modern ink dyes Cockles andrelated have high water- paper patent fastness, light applicationsfastness Aqueous, Water based ink Environmentally Slow drying IJ02,IJ04, pigment which typically friendly Corrosive IJ21, IJ26, IJ27,contains: water, No odor Pigment IJ30 pigment, Reduced may clogSilverbrook, surfactant, bleed nozzles EP 0771 658 A2 humectant, andReduced Pigment and related biocide. wicking may clog patent Pigmentshave an Reduced actuator applications advantage in strikethroughmechanisms Piezoelectric reduced bleed, Cockles ink-jets wicking andpaper Thermal ink strikethrough. jets (with significant restrictions)Methyl MEK is a highly Very fast Odorous All IJ series Ethyl volatilesolvent drying Flammable ink jets Ketone used for industrial Prints on(MEK) printing on various difficult surfaces substrates such such asaluminum as metals and cans. plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks Fastdrying Slight odor All IJ series (ethanol, can be used where Operates atFlammable ink jets 2-butanol, the printer must sub-freezing and operateat temperatures others) temperatures Reduced below the freezing papercockle point of water. An Low cost example of this is in-camera consumerphotographic printing. Phase The ink is solid at No drying HighTektronix change room temperature, time-ink viscosity hot melt (hotmelt) and is melted in instantly freezes Printed ink piezoelectric inkthe print head on the print typically has a jets before jetting. Hotmedium ‘waxy’ feel 1989 melt inks are Almost any Printed Nowak U.S. Pat.No. usually wax based, print medium pages may 4,820,346 with a meltingcan be used ‘block’ All IJ series point around 80° C. No paper Ink inkjets After jetting cockle occurs temperature may the ink freezes Nowicking be above the almost instantly occurs curie point of uponcontacting No bleed permanent the print medium occurs magnets or atransfer roller. No Ink heaters strikethrough consume power occurs Longwarm- up time Oil Oil based inks are High High All IJ series extensivelyused in solubility viscosity: this is ink jets offset printing. mediumfor a significant They have some dyes limitation for use advantages inDoes not in ink jets, which improved cockle paper usually require acharacteristics on Does not low viscosity. paper (especially wickthrough Some short no wicking or paper chain and multi- cockle). Oilbranched oils soluble dies and have a pigments are sufficiently lowrequired. viscosity. Slow drying Microemulsion A microemulsion Stops inkViscosity All IJ series is a stable, self bleed higher than ink jetsforming emulsion High dye water of oil, water, and solubility Cost issurfactant. The Water, oil, slightly higher characteristic drop andamphiphilic than water based size is less than soluble dies can ink 100nm, and is be used High determined by the Can surfactant preferredcurvature stabilize pigment concentration of the surfactant. suspensionsrequired (around 5%)

1. A camera system having a plurality of hand held camera devicesconnected together in series, each camera device comprising: an imageinput configured to receive image data from a camera device preceding inthe series of devices; an instruction reader configured to readinstructions from a card inserted into the camera device, said cardhaving encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of theimage data; a processor unit arranged in communication with the inputand the instruction reader, the processor unit configured to performimage manipulation on the image data according to the instructions readfrom the card; and an image output configured to transmit manipulatedimage data from the processor to a camera device following in the seriesof devices, the camera system operatively facilitating a cascade ofimaging effects.
 2. The camera system of claim 1, having an imagecapture device configured to capture the image data and send such datato the image input of a first camera device in the series of devices. 3.The camera system of claim 1, having a printer arranged at an end of theseries of camera devices to print the manipulated image data.
 4. Thecamera system of claim 1, wherein each camera device includes a memorydevice connected to the processor unit.
 5. The camera system of claim 1,wherein the input device includes a USB port, a serial port, and anelectromagnetic signal receiver adapted to receive one or more of radio,optical, infra-red and Bluetooth signals.
 6. The camera system of claim1, wherein the output device includes a USB port, a serial port, and anelectromagnetic signal receiver adapted to receive one or more of radio,optical, infra-red and Bluetooth signals.
 7. The camera system of claim1, wherein each camera device includes a printer to print out the imagemanipulated by such camera device.
 8. The camera system of claim,wherein a number of the camera devices are arranged in parallelconfiguration.